Royal wedding: Top social media moments
Harry and Meghan's wedding was one of the social media events of the year, prompting 3.4 million posts on Twitter alone between the start of the day and the end of the ceremony.
The excitement truly began as guests began their preparations, with Serena Williams confirming her attendance by tweeting that she was "getting ready for my friend[']s wedding", and then updating with a picture of herself and her husband dressed up and "ready".
Check out my IG stories today. I'm getting ready for my friends wedding pic.twitter.com/Y3Xy1JdhM6
-- Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 19, 2018
Ready for my friend's wedding. #beingserena@alexisohanianpic.twitter.com/PSIYvpXlaV
-- Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 19, 2018
Actor and fellow guest Patrick Adams also got in on the act, posting on Instagram about his friend and former Suits co-star Meghan: "I'm beginning to think she might not actually be out getting milk."
I'm beginning to think she might not actually be out getting milk. #royalwedding
A post shared by Patrick Adams (@halfadams) on May 18, 2018 at 11:45pm PDT
As the arrivals began, David Beckham's appearance particularly seemed to cause a stir on Twitter, but among the adoration was a reminder from old club Manchester United that there was another big event that day - the FA Cup final.
"We'll be done by 5:15pm, right?" ? #MUFC#RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/p0qQkiX8FM
-- Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 19, 2018
Nineteen-year-old cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who was praised for his performance of Ave Maria at the ceremony, seemed to have the nation rooting for him as he posted that he was "on my way to perform at the #RoyalWedding".
On my way to perform at the #RoyalWeddingpic.twitter.com/kZLtXzRGnZ
-- Sheku Kanneh-Mason (@ShekuKM) May 19, 2018
With the ceremony under way, an undoubted high point for social chatter was the powerful address of American bishop Michael Curry.
Twitter said his speech, entitled The Power of Love, was the most-tweeted-about moment of the day, and one celebrity who clearly enjoyed it was supermodel Naomi Campbell, who tweeted: "BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE ?????"
BISHOP MICHAEL CURRY GIVING ME LIFE ?????
-- Naomi Campbell (@NaomiCampbell) May 19, 2018
Elamin Abdelmahmoud tweeted: "A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good."
A black reverend preaching to British royalty about the resilience of faith during slavery is 10000000% not what I thought I was waking up for, the royal wedding is good
-- Elamin Abdelmahmoud (@elamin88) May 19, 2018
TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson, however, seemed less impressed with the length of his speech, tweeting: "What if this American vicar never stops?"
What if this American vicar never stops?
-- Jeremy Clarkson (@JeremyClarkson) May 19, 2018
Many reflected on the romance of the couple's story. Pointless star Richard Osman tweeted: "I know the #RoyalWedding is not for everyone, but we all saw Harry lose his Mum so young, then grow up into this kind, cheeky, thoughtful guy. Now he's found this incredible woman, and it brings a tear to my cynical eye. Have a great day everyone (also, enjoy the cup final)."
I know the #RoyalWedding is not for everyone, but we all saw Harry lose his Mum so young, then grow up into this kind, cheeky, thoughtful guy. Now he's found this incredible woman, and it brings a tear to my cynical eye. Have a great day everyone (also, enjoy the cup final).
-- Richard Osman (@richardosman) May 19, 2018
The Chicago Tribune got thousands of retweets with some matter of fact reporting: "Northwestern graduate marrying British guy rn."
Northwestern graduate marrying British guy rn https://t.co/50UphKcJ2Wpic.twitter.com/WjRcYL3oxc
-- Chicago Tribune (@chicagotribune) May 19, 2018
And one Twitter user, @ovotiann, perhaps summed up the feelings of many when she wrote: "This all started with Meghan's friend setting her up on a blind date with Prince Harry. My friends are actually useless."
This all started with Meghan's friend setting her up on a blind date with Prince Harry. My friends are actually useless.
-- t-yan (@ovotiann) May 19, 2018
Bishop Michael Curry delivers sermon (40k tweets per minute)
Ave Maria performed by Sheku Kanneh-Mason on cello (28k tweets per minute)
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are announced as husband and wife (27k tweets per minute)